Chapter 199

Dinner ended.

Anna Ross walked out of the restaurant side by side with Julian Garnache.

A long-lost, relaxed smile graced her face.

That smile froze completely the instant she saw Adrian Sinclair.

Her steps halted.

Shock and a delayed sense of fear washed over her.

Why was he here?

Judging by his posture, he had clearly been waiting for a long time.

Had he seen all of her interactions with Julian?

Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.

Her fear of him was already deeply ingrained in her bones.

Julian beside her noticed her unusual behavior and leaned in with concern. "Anna, what's wrong?"

Anna shook her head blankly.

Adrian had already started walking toward them.

His tall, straight figure stopped firmly in front of them.

He spoke first, his voice suppressing anger. "You said you had to work. Why are you here?"

His gaze swept over Julian, cold and terrifying.

Anna's heart tightened.

She was desperately afraid he would say something he shouldn't.

She hurriedly bid farewell to the confused Julian. "Julian, you should head back first."

Julian warily assessed the man with the powerful aura before him, worried. "Let me drive you home. It's not safe at night."

He reached out to take Anna's hand, but she quickly avoided it.

Anna waved her hands repeatedly. "No, it's fine. I can get back myself."

She grabbed Adrian's sleeve and demanded, "You take me home."

Julian frowned and blocked their path. "Who are you? Why should she go with you?"

Anna explained before Adrian could erupt. "He's my boss. He'll take me back. Don't worry."

Watching her defend the other man, Adrian's expression grew even darker.

A storm was brewing in his eyes.

Julian was still uneasy, but Anna was already pushing Adrian to leave.

She left Julian standing alone on the spot, utterly bewildered.

Anna pulled Adrian away.

She only let go of his hand after confirming Julian wouldn't follow.

She looked at the man with the unpleasant expression and said softly, "Take me home."

Adrian let out a cold scoff.

But he still started the car.

Watching the restaurant fade into the distance, Anna breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"You care a lot about that man?" Adrian's jaw was tight as he broke the silence in the car.

His gloomy expression showed his displeasure.

Anna frowned.

She knew he had misunderstood again.

She explained seriously, "He's like an older brother from our neighborhood when I was little. Our families were close. He's always treated me like a younger sister. I only see him as a brother."

She secretly observed his expression and added, "There's really nothing between us. He just returned from abroad and came to see me, so I treated him to dinner."

"Brother?" Adrian sneered, clearly not believing it. "What a lofty term. You seem to care more about him than you ever did about Lucas Evans."

Anna rolled her eyes inwardly.

Since when had she ever cared deeply about anyone?

She wanted to argue, but thinking of his obsessive mindset, she swallowed her words.